This Tomato Confit with Farmer Cheese Crostini features juicy, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and whipped Lifeway Farmer Cheese. This easy appetizer comes together easily to create the perfect crostini that sneaks in extra protein and live probiotics from our farmer cheese. Whether you enjoy it as an appetizer or a light snack, this easy recipe is proof that any recipe becomes more delicious and healthier when it’s made with Lifeway!
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for optimal digestion and gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health. Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1.
Lifeway Kefir is packed with a variety of vital nutrients important for overall health, including bone and muscle health; these include vitamin D3, K, calcium, and vitamin B12. Along with our probiotic-rich kefir, Lifeway also offers artisan-made Farmer Cheese, a creamy, high-protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support healthy muscles and a healthy microbiome. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is easy to spread, free of gums and thickeners, and contains no added salt or sugar for optimal health benefits.
Prep Time: 25 mins Servings: 8-12Ingredients
For the Whipped Farmer Cheese:
- 1 cup Farmer Cheese
- 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp. raw honey
- 2 tsp. salt
For the Tomato Confit:
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, drained & rinsed
- 1/3 - 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil to cover
- 1 bunch of fresh basil, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tbsp. pepper
- 2 tsp. salt
- 1 shallot, peeled and chopped
For the Crostini:
- 1 fresh baguette
- 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- Garnish: additional fresh basil
Directions
- Prep the tomato confit first. Preheat the oven to 300 F. Add the cherry tomatoes to a small baking dish along, with the chopped basil, chopped garlic, 1 tbsp. pepper, 2 tsp. salt, and the chopped and peeled shallot. Add enough olive oil just to cover, anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 cup. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the tomatoes burst.
- Next, prep the bread for crostini by slicing the baguette into ¼-inch-thick slices. Arrange the slices on the baking sheet and drizzle both sides with the 2 tbsp. olive oil. Pop them in the oven with the tomatoes until crisp and lightly golden about 15 minutes. Flip them over halfway.
- Now prepare the Whipped Farmer Cheese: Add the Lifeway Farmer Cheese, 3 tbsp. olive oil, 2 tsp. raw honey, and 2 tsp. salt to a blender or food processor. Mix until smooth and creamy (you can also use an immersion blender). Transfer the mixture to a piping or sandwich bag and refrigerate until ready to use.
- To assemble, pipe or spread the Lifeway Whipped Farmer Cheese onto each crostini. Top with tomato confit. Garnish with additional fresh basil and enjoy!
